Production of films or thin sheets of metals.



W. G. WAGNER. PRODUCTION OF FILMS 0R THIN SHEETS Off METALS. APPLICATION IILBD JULY 25, 1910.

1,025,848. Patented May 7, 1912.

Witnesses- I v Inventor .dttomey.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM GEORGE WAGNER, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

PRODUCTION OF FILMS OR THIN SHEETS OF METALS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May '7, 1912.

' Application filed July 25, 1910. Serial No. 573,768.

of Films or Thin Sheets of Metals, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the production of films or thin sheets of met-a1.

According to the invention I produce, a film of the metal by the movement of a body Within a bath of the metal in its molten state, the body being advantageously of circular or cylindrical form and having a surface of such a nature and maintained at such temperature that the metal adheres to it on contact, so that on the movement or rotation of the body a continuous film is formed thereon, and it is then only necessary to provide convenient means for separating the fil'm from the body on its movement, for the purpose of continuous production of the film or thin sheet metal.

In the accompanying drawing is illustrated a constructional form of the apparatus for carrying out the process.

The invention is more especially conceived in its application to lead, tin, zinc and other fusible metals or alloys and is conveniently carried outby the employment of a drum or hollow cylindrical body a having a peripheral surface of polished wrought iron, means being provided for maintaining the body at the temperature proper for the effectual deposition upon" it and adhesion to it of the film of the metal by suitable internal or external coo-ling, or, if necessary, by heating. The metallic sheet or film which may be of any desirable width'may be removed from the drum by means of a doctor blade I) or other appliance and it may then pass over a roller, slope or carrier 0 or be otherwise conveyed away for use or for further treatment.

In some cases the metal may detach itself without the use of special means for the purpose, or the film may be passed between rollers, which, while reducing its thickness and increasing its uniformity or otherwise preparing it for its ultimate use may also cause the pull on the film to bring about the rotation of the drum or cylindrical body.

Again, for the purpose of maintaining regularity of surface and thickness of the film, a roller, bar or other device (I may be provided actually within the bathof molten substance and beneath the drum or hollow cylindrical body, around which the deposition is to be effected, which roller or other device is set at such distance from the drum,

as to secure the production of a film of the required thickness. Means may be provided to apply the necessary heat to the roller or other device aforesaid, such, for example, as by means of a pipe ef As or before the metal leaves the drum it may be annealed by any suitable means such as a flame or other heater before the rolling or other treatment to which it is to be subjected.

I may provide for varying the degree of submergence of the drum, for varying the temperature of the molten metal and the temperature at which the drum is maintained and for varying the speed of rotation of the drum, with a view to regulating the thickness or general quality of the film or sheet.

l/Vhat I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A process of production of films or thin sheets of metals consisting in rotating a body within a bath of metal in its molten state so thata film of metal is deposited and adheres to the said body and in removing the film or thin sheet from the rotating body.

2. A process of production of films or thin sheets of metal consisting in rotating a body within a bath of molten metal, the body being maintained at such a tempera ture that a film of metal is deposited and adheres to said body and in removing the filnl or thin sheet from the rotating body.

3. A process for the production of films or thin sheets of metal consisting in rotating a cylindrical body in a bath of molten metal, the body being maintained at such a temperature that the metal will adhere thereto,

and removing the thin sheet or film of metal from the cylindrical body.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

\VILLIAM GEORGE WAGNER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK ERNEST S UlRE, H. D. JAMESON. 

